PSALM 56

A CALL FOR GOD’S PROTECTION 

When the Philistines seized him in Gath. 

1  Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me; he fights and oppresses me all day long. 

2  My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me.  

3  When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 

4  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 

5  They twist my words all day long; all their thoughts against me are evil. 

6  They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. 

7  Will they escape in spite of such sin? God, bring down the nations in wrath. 

8  You yourself have recorded my wanderings.  Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 

9  Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me. 

10  In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 

11  in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere humans do to me? 

12  I am obligated by vows to you, God; I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you. 

13  For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.